Resistance to a Residential AIDS Home: An Empirical Test of NIMBY

Objective. This study is designed to evaluate the NIMBY (not-in-my-back-yard) syndrome regarding a proposed residential home for HIV-positive individuals. Hypotheses attempted to explain support of the home and fear of loss in real estate values. These variables were analyzed in terms of value of homes, distance to site, fear of AIDS and homophobia. Method. A survey of New Hope, Pennsylvania employed a 10% probability cluster sample. This resulted in 106 responses and a response rate of 70.7%. Correlational and multiple regression analyses were used to test hypotheses. Findings. Support of the home and fear of loss in real estate values were not found to be related to distance from one's home to the site or to value of one's home. Bath were related to fear of AIDS and homophobia. Conclusions. NIMBY opposition in the case of an AIDS residence was found to be primarily related to fear of AIDS and homophobia. This situation, an AIDS residence, appears to be different from other instances of NIMBY.